The Prior Lake boys lacrosse team struggled on the offensive end in its season opener under first-year head coach Casey Mithun.

The No. 1-ranked Lakers, the defending state champions, scored just one goal in the second half in a 7-4 home loss to No. 2 Minnetonka April 18. Prior Lake led 3-1 early in the second quarter, but didn't score again until late in the game.

The Lakers will be back on the field April 23 at home versus Shakopee and will play at No. 7 Lakeville North April 25 in South Suburban Conference games at 5:30 p.m.

Prior Lake beat Minnetonka in the state semifinals last year, winning 13-11 en route to its second state championship in three seasons. The Skippers scored six straight in the rematch between the second, third and fourth quarters to go up 7-3.

Senior Ben Jung led the Lakers' offense with three goals, while senior Luke Bloedow had a goal and an assist. Seniors Riley Bachinski and Trenton Herubin each had an assist for Prior Lake.

Junior Colin Nauertz made the start in goal for the Lakers and finished with seven saves.

Prior Lake lost 15 seniors to graduation from last year's team, as well as its head coach stepping down; although Mithun has been with the team as an assistant coach since 2012.

It's just one loss and the Lakers' have won 61 games over the last four seasons, so don't expect this program to panic after one loss.

"We have a very youthful midfield,” Mithun told the Minnesota Lacrosse Hub. "We are replacing a lot of seniors that did a lot for this program. We need some guys to step up in their spots."